Molly Perkins PhD
- Department of Medicine
Professor
- (404) 727-9676
- molly.m.perkins@emory.edu
-
Emory University
Woodruff Memorial Research Building
101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 2007A
Overview
Dr. Perkins is a social gerontologist and medical sociologist with research interests in social determinants of health and disparities, aging in minority and vulnerable populations, functional wellness, and long-term care. She is a National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Scholar and a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). A primary focus of her work is on addressing social, behavioral, and environmental aspects of chronic disease management.
Dr. Perkins co-directs the NIH Roybal Center for Dementia Caregiving Mastery at Emory University and is Co-Director of the Emory NIH Center for AIDS (CFAR) Research HIV and Aging Research Cluster. She also co-directs the national NIH Inter-CFAR HIV and Aging Working Group and is co-convener of the GSA HIV, AIDS, and Older Adults Interest Group.
In addition to her primary appointment as a professor with tenure in the Emory School of Medicine, Dr. Perkins is a member of the graduate faculty in the Emory Department of Sociology and has an adjunct faculty position in the Emory School of Nursing. In addition, she holds a joint appointment as a research health scientist at the Atlanta VA Medical Center where she is the Atlanta Site Director for Research for the Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC). Recent grant funding as Principal Investigator includes a 5-year longitudinal study funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH/NIA) (RF1AG069114) investigating informal caregiver involvement in end-of-life care of persons with advanced dementia in assisted living.
Academic Appointment
- Professor of Medicine with Tenure, Medicine - Geriatrics and Gerontology, Emory University
- Member of the Graduate Faculty, Department of Sociology, Emory University
- Research Health Scientist, Atlanta VA Medical Center (VHA)
Education
Degrees
- Ph.D. Sociology from Georgia State University
- MA Sociology from Georgia State University
Research
Publications
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Caregiving is associated with lower brain age in humans.
Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci Volume: 20
03/13/2025 Authors: Rilling JK; Lee M; Zhou C; Hepburn K; Perkins MM; Gaser C -
Differing Realties among Assisted Living Residents with Dementia: Understanding Care Partner Responses.
Gerontologist
02/12/2025 Authors: Kemp CL; Anglin E; Morgan JC; Perkins MM; Burgess EO -
Examining Help-Seeking Behavior in People Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment.
J Appl Gerontol Page(s): 7334648241309478
01/09/2025 Authors: Smith CP; Perkins MM; Hepburn KW; Kavalieratos D; Lowers J -
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the NIH Emotions Toolbox Among People Living with HIV and Who May Use Methamphetamine.
AIDS Behav Volume: 29 Page(s): 55 - 63
01/01/2025 Authors: Bender AA; Moore DJ; Perkins MM; Hunt R; Haardrfer R -
"How do You Take that Much Time for One Person's Life?" Experiences of Dementia Caregivers Who are Not Immediate Family.
J Appl Gerontol Volume: 44 Page(s): 166 - 175
01/01/2025 Authors: Lowers J; Brus K; Smith C; Kavalieratos D; Hepburn K; Perkins MM -
Fragmented Readmissions From a Nursing Facility in Medicare Beneficiaries.
J Appl Gerontol Volume: 43 Page(s): 1762 - 1771
11/01/2024 Authors: Turbow SD; Perkins MM; Vaughan CP; Klemensen T; Culler SD; Rask KJ; Clevenger CK; Ali MK -
Resident and Caregiver Dyads Talk About Death and Dying in Assisted Living: A Typology of Communication Behaviors.
Am J Hosp Palliat Care Volume: 41 Page(s): 1011 - 1017
09/01/2024 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Bender AA; Kemp CL; Perkins MM -
"Call 911 - That's my [Advance Care] Plan": Factors that Inform Advance Care Planning Conversation Readiness Among Aging Persons Living With HIV.
J Appl Gerontol Volume: 43 Page(s): 1156 - 1164
08/01/2024 Authors: Pinto Taylor E; Halpin SN; Marconi VC; Justice AC; Johnson TM; McInnes DK; Perkins MM -
Is Electronic Information Exchange Associated With Lower 30-Day Readmission Charges Among Medicare Beneficiaries?
Med Care Volume: 62 Page(s): 423 - 430
06/01/2024 Authors: Turbow SD; Chehal PK; Culler SD; Vaughan CP; Offutt C; Rask KJ; Perkins MM; Clevenger CK; Ali MK -
Proactive Care-Seeking Strategies Among Adults Aging Solo With Early Dementia: A Qualitative Study.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Volume: 79
05/01/2024 Authors: Lowers J; Datcher I; Kavalieratos D; Hepburn K; Perkins MM